The next morning came too soon, like the universe was conspiring against any chance of peace. I woke up with a heavy heart that felt like it was anchored to the throbbing pain in my ankle. The crutches leaning against the wall were a glaring reminder of how fragile everything had become my body, my secrets, my entire world. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, but it did nothing to lift the fog in my mind. Mia had already left for school; I could hear the faint echo of that same cheerful tune she always hummed, the one that grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. It was too...